Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications is Monday - November 30 - 2026 and applicants will be referred on an 'as needed' basis thereafter. Announcement will remain open through 9/30/2027 but may close after the initial cut-off date if needed prior to the initial closing date.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13104997
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of this position include lifting - prolonged standing and sitting - frequent bending - walking (distance) - climbing - reaching (overhead - extensive/repetitive) - pulling - pushing - repetitive motion and stooping
• The mental/sensory requirements include recall - reasoning - problem-solving - hearing - speaking clearly - writing legibly - keyboarding - reading and logical thinking - depth perception - hearing (aide permitted)
• near/far vision correctable to meet Driver's License requirements
• The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes-fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities - frequent - sometimes intense customer interactions - and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment
• There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease - illness - and hazardous materials.

Duties

• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurses to provide comprehensive - patient-centered care to our nation's Veterans
• As a VA RN - you will play a vital role in assessing - planning - implementing - and evaluating nursing care for a diverse patient population
• You will work within an interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote health - prevent disease - and manage acute and chronic health conditions
• Primary responsibilities include - but may not be limited to: Provide direct and indirect patient care - ensuring adherence to established nursing standards - policies - and procedures
• Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments - identify patient needs - and develop individualized care plans in collaboration with the healthcare team - Veterans - and their families
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed - monitor patient responses - and take appropriate action in accordance with VA guidelines
• Educate Veterans and their families on health conditions - medications - treatment plans - and self-care strategies to promote optimal health outcomes
• Maintain accurate - timely - and thorough electronic health records (EHR) documentation
• Utilize critical thinking skills to anticipate and respond to changes in patient conditions - initiating appropriate interventions and escalating concerns as necessary
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure coordinated and holistic patient care
• Adhere to all safety protocols and infection control practices
• Serve as a patient advocate - ensuring ethical considerations and Veterans' rights are respected
• Engage in continuous professional development and participate in quality improvement initiatives
• We are recruiting for the following specialties: Critical Care (ICU - SICU - Recovery - OR): Manages complex patient cases requiring advanced monitoring - life support - and rapid intervention
• Outpatient (Primary Care - CBOC - Mental Health): Focuses on health promotion - disease prevention - chronic disease management - and patient education in clinics
• Inpatient (Med/Surg - Mental Health - CLC): Provides direct care for hospitalized Veterans - managing a variety of medical - surgical - or psychiatric conditions
• Emergency Room (ER): Provides rapid assessment and treatment for patient's presenting with acute - life threatening - or urgent medical - surgical and psychiatric conditions - in a fast-paced environment
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Multiple Schedules - Full-time
• Subject to change based on agency needs
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized EDRP: Authorized: Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program
• Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer
• The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment
• Program approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) - and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.